How a teacher greets students, takes care of logistics, and begins his or her lessons is CRUCIAL! During this observation, focus on how class begins. Where is your CT before class begins? What is he or she doing? Using the clock on the wall, determine when your CT establishes order and begins class. How did she/he start their lesson? How is homework from the previous night reviewed/collected/assessed? How does your CT engage students during the opening of the lesson? Is the approach your CT used during this lesson consistent with what we have discussed in class during our collaborative lesson planning sessions? (Hop, Skip, & Jump Lab; Bicycle Lab)
Mrs. Lydon (Deering Middle School)
So far the schedule at DMS has been a little hectic. The students have been in the middle of NECAP testing the first two times I went to the school. However, I have still been able to see "pieces" of science classes. At the beginning of class Mrs. Lydon is in her room ready for students to come in. She has the directions for the start of class written on the board next to the column marked "homework". Students immediately look to the board for their instructions and sit down. For the last couple of classes the instructions have been to "sit quietly" because they are getting ready for NECAP testing. Normally however, Mrs. Lydon has a type of "thinking question" to get them started on whatever lesson they will be doing that day, or to review from the day before. These "thinking questions" provide structure and routine for the students. Mrs. Lydon engages students at the start of class by leading a group discussion on the topic and giving students a chance to read. These methods seem to be very effective for the students in her class and do correlate with what we have learned in our class.
Mrs. Couchon (Narragansett High School)
In Mrs. Couchon's class the students are very self directed. They come into class, immediately sit down and take out their science binders. Mrs. Couchon takes attendance on the computer and sends it through the server to the office. The students do not have "homeroom" at NHS. When they come in they go to their lockers and then go straight to their first class which starts at 7:30am. Class begins immediately after Mrs. Couchon finishes taking attendance. So far I have not seen any homework collected but I have seen some of their lab reports which were handed back and allowed for revision. Mrs. Couchon engages the students by asking prompting questions at the beginning of the lesson.
Mrs. Lydon (Deering Middle School)
So far the schedule at DMS has been a little hectic. The students have been in the middle of NECAP testing the first two times I went to the school. However, I have still been able to see "pieces" of science classes. At the beginning of class Mrs. Lydon is in her room ready for students to come in. She has the directions for the start of class written on the board next to the column marked "homework". Students immediately look to the board for their instructions and sit down. For the last couple of classes the instructions have been to "sit quietly" because they are getting ready for NECAP testing. Normally however, Mrs. Lydon has a type of "thinking question" to get them started on whatever lesson they will be doing that day, or to review from the day before. These "thinking questions" provide structure and routine for the students. Mrs. Lydon engages students at the start of class by leading a group discussion on the topic and giving students a chance to read. These methods seem to be very effective for the students in her class and do correlate with what we have learned in our class.
Mrs. Couchon (Narragansett High School)
In Mrs. Couchon's class the students are very self directed. They come into class, immediately sit down and take out their science binders. Mrs. Couchon takes attendance on the computer and sends it through the server to the office. The students do not have "homeroom" at NHS. When they come in they go to their lockers and then go straight to their first class which starts at 7:30am. Class begins immediately after Mrs. Couchon finishes taking attendance. So far I have not seen any homework collected but I have seen some of their lab reports which were handed back and allowed for revision. Mrs. Couchon engages the students by asking prompting questions at the beginning of the lesson.